Transportation Security Screeners

Career Description: Inspect baggage or cargo and screen passengers to detect and prevent potentially dangerous objects from being transported into secure areas or onto aircraft.

Industry: Protective Service

Other Job Titles for Transportation Security Screeners:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Ask passengers to remove shoes and divest themselves of metal objects prior to walking through metal detectors.
• Check passengers' tickets to ensure that they are valid, and to determine whether passengers have designations that require special handling, such as providing photo identification.
• Close entry areas following security breaches or reopen areas after receiving notification that the airport is secure.
• Confiscate dangerous items and hazardous materials found in opened bags and turn them over to airlines for disposal.
• Contact leads or supervisors to discuss objects of concern that are not on prohibited object lists.
• Contact police directly in cases of urgent security issues, using phones or two-way radios.
• Decide whether baggage that triggers alarms should be searched or should be allowed to pass through.
• Direct passengers to areas where they can pick up their baggage after screening is complete.
• Inform other screeners when baggage should not be opened because it might contain explosives.
• Inform passengers of how to mail prohibited items to themselves, or confiscate these items.
• Inspect carry-on items, using x-ray viewing equipment, to determine whether items contain objects that warrant further investigation.
• Inspect checked baggage for signs of tampering.
• Locate suspicious bags pictured in printouts sent from remote monitoring areas, and set these bags aside for inspection.
• Monitor passenger flow through screening checkpoints to ensure order and efficiency.
• Notify supervisors or other appropriate personnel when security breaches occur.
• Perform pat-down or hand-held wand searches of passengers who have triggered machine alarms, who are unable to pass through metal detectors, or who have been randomly identified for such searches.
• Record information about any baggage that sets off alarms in monitoring equipment.
• Search carry-on or checked baggage by hand when it is suspected to contain prohibited items such as weapons.
• Send checked baggage through automated screening machines, and set bags aside for searching or rescreening as indicated by equipment.
• Test baggage for any explosive materials, using equipment such as explosive detection machines or chemical swab systems.
• View images of checked bags and cargo, using remote screening equipment, and alert baggage screeners or handlers to any possible problems.
• Watch for potentially dangerous persons whose pictures are posted at checkpoints.
• Challenge suspicious people, requesting their badges and asking what their business is in a particular areas.
• Follow those who breach security until police or other security personnel arrive to apprehend them.
• Patrol work areas to detect any suspicious items.
• Provide directions and respond to passenger inquiries.
• Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.
• Notify command of situation and request assistance.
• Schedule polygraph tests for consenting parties and record results of test interpretations for presentation with findings.
• Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
• Observe and photograph narcotic purchase transactions to compile evidence and protect undercover investigators.

Emerging Tasks

• Enforce traffic laws regarding the transit system and reprimand individuals who violate them.
• Monitor transit areas and conduct security checks to protect railroad properties, patrons, and employees.
• Provide training to the public and law enforcement personnel regarding railroad safety, security, and other related issues.
• Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
• Serve as technical advisor and coordinate with other law enforcement workers or legal personnel to exchange information on crime scene collection activities.
• Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• analyze existing evidence or facts
• apply appropriate physical restraint
• apprehend or arrest suspect or perpetrator of criminal act
• authorize entry or exit of individuals
• communicate details in protective services settings
• conduct legal searches or investigations
• cooperate with court personnel or other law enforcement agencies
• develop safety regulations
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• enforce laws, ordinances, or regulations
• follow law enforcement methods or procedures
• gather physical evidence
• identify firearms or weapons
• inspect commercial vehicles
• interview crime witnesses or victims to obtain descriptive information
• investigate complaints, disturbances, or violations
• make decisions
• manage detailed records or files in security setting
• monitor entrance or exit of persons
• operate vehicles in law enforcement or security setting
• oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
• patrol or guard area or premises
• prepare reports
• reach conclusions quickly in law enforcement situations
• read maps
• recognize public safety hazards
• use firearms
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use surveillance techniques
• use arrest, search, or seizure legal statutes
• use firearms
• use first aid procedures
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• operate vehicles in law enforcement or security setting
• oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
• patrol or guard area or premises
• pilot aircraft
• prepare records of prisoner bookings or status
• prepare reports
• reach conclusions quickly in law enforcement situations
• read maps
• read navigation charts
• recognize physical or emotional abuse
• recognize public safety hazards
• relay information to proper officials
• respond to in-flight data
• review facts to determine if criminal act or statue violation is involved
• ride horses during law enforcement work
• sustain attention in air traffic emergencies
• testify in court for accident and criminal cases
• use aircraft safety regulations
• use arrest, search, or seizure legal statutes
• use conflict resolution techniques
• use emergency medical procedures
• use firearms
• use first aid procedures
• use hazardous materials information
• use intervention techniques
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of geographic coordinates
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use local or regional geographical knowledge to transportation
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use rescue procedures
• use surveillance techniques
• use traffic control procedures
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• use visual flight procedures

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• Projected growth (2006-2016): 12.64%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 10,454
• Employment (2006): 82,703

• Correctional Officers and Jailers
• Criminal Investigators and Special Agents
• Fire Inspectors
• Fire Investigators
• Police Detectives
• Private Detectives and Investigators
• Security Guards
• Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs
• Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
• Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer